Associate of Applied Science | 84 credits including prerequisites
Program Website
Academic Advising
Program Description
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program provides both general and technical education. The Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
The Program consists of four semesters of physical therapist assistant coursework and skill-based instruction in addition to several selected prerequisite courses. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded an associate of applied science degree. Graduates are able to sit for the National Examination for Physical Therapy Education (NPTE), which allows the individual to be eligible for licensure. To practice as a physical therapist assistant in Utah, licensure is required.
Career Opportunities
The physical therapist assistant is a health care provider working with individuals and their families under the supervision of a physical therapist in providing patient/client care by applying a variety of therapy treatments in a variety of health care settings. Treatment techniques include therapeutic exercises, and physical agent and mechanical modalities. Health care settings include hospitals, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, out-patient clinics, sports medicine clinics, workplaces, schools and homes. The physical therapist assistant will be involved in the modification of treatment programs, client/family education and discharge planning under the direction and general supervision of a physical therapist.
Estimated Cost for Students
Current tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $1,125.00
Course Fees: $500.00
Immunizations/Screens: $332.00
APTA Membership: $85.00
NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.
Program Entry Requirements
GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student. See http://www.slcc.edu/apply/index.aspx and declare your major as Pre-Medical and Health Sciences
- High School Graduate or equivalent.
- For transfer credit, submit OFFICIAL, SEALED transcripts for ALL colleges and universities where prerequisite course work has been completed.
Send to:
SLCC Office of the Registrar and Academic Records
4600 South Redwood Road
P.O. Box 30808
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808
- Also, a request to have an OFFICIAL evaluation of student’s transcript(s) must be submitted to the SLCC Transfer Evaluation Office. The form is located at: http://www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s application will be considered
- Complete SLCC placement process, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and ENGL courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM SELECTIVE ADMISSONS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
This program is selective admission and has additional requirements to be accepted into the degree program. Specific requirements and process can be found here: http://www.slcc.edu/ptassistant/admissions.aspx. Please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office, healthsciencesadmissions@slcc.edu or 801-957-6253, for additional information.
Specialized Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education,1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.
Licensure Information
Graduation from the Physical Therapist Assistant program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a Utah state license to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state. In order to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant, students must satisfy individual state requirements, independent of SLCC graduation requirements. It is highly recommended that students consult in advance with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), or similar agencies in other states, to find out more about eligibility for licensure. DOPL can be reached at 801-530-6628 or at their website.
For students who plan to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in another state, here is one suggested website for researching state licensure requirements: License Finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have difficulty finding the licensure requirements for your state, please contact your academic advisor or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help.
